Hi
I am a type 1 diabetic for 10 years now. I am intrigued by the idea of CGMs but also seems like a lot of hassle. Yes or no and which is the best one ??
Many people like them, I'm sure they will comment. I was unable to tolerate the sensor due to pain/itching/swelling and it was inaccurate for me(dexcom). I'm hoping they come out with a non invasive one soon.
At first it was a bit of a hassle but I got used to it pretty quickly, like a couple of days. I have the Medtronic CGM and like it a lot and get very good results that are very close to my BG meter. Many people have indicated that the Dexcom is better although I have seen them in practice being off (albeit a ***very*** small sample size, one friend once...) as well. This happens sometimes but maybe like once every 3-4 months for me and, the rest of the time it's on. In some ways it sort of acts like a babysitter or coach or "precioussssss" as I'll think "woah, nice line...don't upset the apple cart..." which may be of use if you can get into that mind set to.
Since you are in Ireland, there are different models of CGMS compared to US.
In US, we have the older version of MM CGMS, called Sof-sensor, and think you would have access to the Enlite, which is described as being an improvement.
For Dexcom, we have Gen4 Platinum, and you may have Gen4.
The Abbott Navigator is no longer available in US, but may be available to you. Many who used it thought it was the best of the 3.
Based on user comments in this forum, there are more users that prefer Dexcom, but many that are happy with MM.
I have used both MM CGMS and Dexcom (in US), and prefer Dexcom. In combination with my insulin pump (for precise dosing), and changes in diet, I have much better control now with CGMS. So for example, based on CGMS early alarms, I can use my pump to do small increment corrections (.2 or.4 for example), or increase/decrease my basal for some amount of time. ( Insulin changes are always done after verifying BG with my meter.)
Some use CGMS primarily for the low alerts, and to respond quicker to highs, while others use it to really fine-tune their BG management.
Yes it can be a hassle, but can have many benefits that outweigh the hassle.
What specifically do you think it would help you with ? Are you having many lows ? Are you trying to learn how your food choices/exercise, etc impact your BG ?
Just the peace of mind more than anything. I think I test way too much but I do it to prevent sugar lows and i just worry unnecessarily Im hoping this would be like a bit of security for me with the sugar low alerts especially at night. Unfortunately there is so much negative press out there that it causes stress and worry. Thats really why I want a CGM . Also to bring my levels down keep them higher than I should for the same reason
I am in the US so use the older minimed sensor. It is a hassle. I was a very early adopter and yes it has gotten a bit better. If what i was doing was going to current sensor I have I would say no don't do it. However, if you have access to the newer Enlite I woudl definitely go with that. Here is why, the sensor on the Enlite is a 90 degree insertion, our current sensor is a 45 degree insert and it is somewhat difficult to get right and hold. Second, the inserter for Enlite is more accurate and looks to be better for the over operation. Many people here swear by the Dexcom, I do not have experience with it. The reason I have stuck with MM is that the pump and sensor are in one device. No way woudl want two devices on my belt. heck I can barely control one. LOL
I insert the Paradigm sensors at 90 degrees too, on the advice of my SalesNurse. I totally agree about the two devices, it just seems too cumbersome.
I use the Dexcom G4 sensors along with the OmniPod pump, so I have two devices. My son uses the MiniMed pump with their sensors in one device. He says he would not want to carry two devices. I use the Spibelt and put both on it so it's not an issue for me. We both love what we have and wouldn't want to do without. The alarms help head off highs and lows and have been lifesavers and have decreased the amount of blood sugar checks needed. I haven't needed help during a nighttime low in a long time. I also use my Dexcom reports to make changes in my basal rates. If you have the means to get one, I say go for it. I'm not sure how long you could try it out and return if you don't like it, but you could contact the companies and find that out.
I've used a CGM continuously since September 2009. I consider it essential for my BG control and safety. When I started, it dropped my A1c by 1%. Waking me up at night to prevent extended lows meant that I also avoided rebound highs in the morning.
I use Dexcom and have don't have any experience with the MM. The Dex is comfortable to wear and the accuracy is good after the first 24 hours. I look at my CGM a lot but I don't don't consider it obsessive and it relieves stress instead of increasing it. Making adjustments to my basal rates on my pump is easier with a CGM.
I don't like the idea of a pump/CGM receiver combo since it will not wake me up at night buried under blankets. I've slept through extended pump alarms before.
I download the data from my CGM at least a few times a week and closely follow my averages and trends. What I focus on these days is glucose variability. Some researchers believe that constant up and down BG changing causes oxidative stress to body tissue that leads to complications.
The primary CGM number that I monitor for variability is the standard deviation. The lower the number the less variable my BG. My goal is less than 30 mg/dL and I've finally been able to meet that in the last few months. With a standard deviation of 30, it means that about 68% of my CGM data points are within 30 of my average.
I apologize if this is too much information but I highly value what the CGM has done to help me regain control on my BGs. Good luck with your decision. You should try it; if it doesn't suit you, it's easy enough to stop.
I think everyone should get CGM at least once. It is enlightening to see the timing and spike of different foods and the effect of activity or stress. One caveat is that accuracy sometimes varies at night because your blood flow slows down when sleeping and the sensor doesn't read as accurately. This results (for me) in less dependable readings at night and false alerts. Don't get me wrong, I love my Dexcom and would use it full-time if my pocket book allowed.
My Dexcom G4 gives me such peace of mind that I hate the two hour start up time when I am not getting any info from it.
I think it all depends on the person and their desires and needs. The people that seem to benefit or enjoy their CGM the most are the data junkies that love having a lot of data or the people with a specific reason for wanting the device (living alone, hypo unawareness, juvenile, DP, etc.). I am a data junkie and that is why I love my MM CGM.
Some find that all the beeping and buzing impacts their sleep and life. Some find that the CGM is not that accuarte or causes horrible itching. These are very valid reasons for not spending the time, effort or expense on the device.
They are a bit twitchy and I wouldn't rely on one without consulting my meter for important decisiosn but it was invaluable to help fill in the blanks of my entire 24 hour profile under a lot of varying conditions. Also, I don't know how I would have done basal testing without a CGM.
I haven't used it in almost a year now because nothing much has changed in that time. I'm starting to have more frequent overnight and fasting highs, despite middle of the night corrections, so I may fire up my Dexcom again to see what's going on.
Hi Char: I wear the Dexcom 7, and I am incredibly happy with it (I need to upgrade to the new Dexcom, but haven't done it yet). It is incredibly accurate for me, and especially helps me at night and during exercise. When I first started using it, I was overwhelmed by all the data and especially how enlightening it was (who knew that coffee caused such blood sugar spikes?!). Then I mentally adjusted to it, and now I cannot imagine how I managed without it. Dexcom is supposedly far more accurate than Medtronic. I did try the Medtronic Guardian years ago--it was so wildly inaccurate that I just stopped using it. At the TCOYD (Taking Control of Your Diabetes) conferences, the panel of doctors who have Type 1 all use the Dexcom.
Another vote for Dexcom here. :) I have two devices, the Dexcom and OmniPod - my husband calls me the bionic woman. It's so worth the effort.
A CGM will open your eyes to what happens when you eat. I mean, we all know that carbs cause our bg to rise, but watching it graphed on a screen is hard to ignore. My goal is to see the nice, flat pretty lines in range... so I modify my behavior to try to keep it nice and flat. I've been known to delay eating or to eat lower or no carb just because I didn't want to *mess up* the nice, pretty flat line.
I was in awe when I first came here and saw how AR and others were able to flat-line in the 80s and I never thought it would be possible for me. But I've worked hard and used all the tools available to me, and I've done it. Not always, but with the right tools it's possible.
And if you're looking for peace of mind, by all means try it. My Dex has helped me avoid so many lows or catch them early. I no longer worry about falling asleep, as long as I have that receiver by my pillow.
It works for me. :)